The Proverbs 31 Work At Home Woman

I recently did a survey on A Wise Woman Builds Her Home Facebook fan page where I asked all the woman to share with me what they do to help their husbands out financially at home. I got quite a response so I thought I would bring this conversation here to my blog. I want to do a link up of all the great ideas that are out there to inspire us on how we can help contribute to our homes monetarily and bless our husbands and families.

Now, I thought instead of having everyone leave a comment, we could do a linkup where all you fantastic moms, wives and daughters can share what you do to inspire the rest of us! Now you can list multiple things, from your home businesses to how you save your family money by being wise with shopping, frugality and using coupons or the like. Because essentially, we are ALL have the same goals in mind, don't we? Whether we wisely shop the sales papers using coupons or launch multiple home businesses we all have that one goal in mind--to help our families.

Some other ideas that you might not have thought of  but are also welcomed such as having  garage sale(s), selling clothes to consignment shops, babysitting, couponing, starting an Etsy/ Ebay store, to hosting Twitter Parties, etc. They can also be old or new posts that you have written. This is also a great way to let others know about your business or service if you have one.

(Note: Please do not leave a link directly to your company website but instead to your blog post--thanks! And if you don't have time to link up a post, because you are too busy just leave a comment and a link if you would prefer.)

So go ahead and link up and share how you do it...I can't wait to read all the great ideas out there!

Large Family Dynamics--A Look Inside

I love the fact that we have a large family. Since I was an only child, it is almost like I have another chance to relive my youth in a family of many siblings (except now I am in charge!). It has truly been an adventure, a joyous adventure in having 8 children and getting to live each moment with them--the fun, the exciting, the good and the bad.

There has been so much I have had to learn in how to raise a brood this size so I appreciate when I see lists like the following that bring a smile.

Large Families..

-Accept donations of restaurant-size cookware!!!

-are CHAOTIC and NOISY and FUN

-have no matching socks...but 58 white non- mates

-always have someone to play with... never bored or lonely

-lots of babysitters, readers, and rockers

-never have a dull meal

-are never picky eaters! there's someone to eat it!!!

-have an ever ready sports team

-never have moldy leftovers (ha!)

-and yes the parents DO know what causes them...

-and no, moms are not supermoms or super organized

-do not have overabundance of patience, just lots of opportunities to cultivate patience!


 (Source-A Christian Home)

Large families are a blessing in so many ways and children are a joy to raise. Money might be tighter but the riches of having a large family are priceless!



A great resource about large families would be the Duggars who have have 18 children--read how they do it here:

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Little Disciples

I strongly believe that we as Christian parents are responsible for raising children to become disciples for Christ. This is a glorious work and calling for parents, one that must be taken seriously with the complete outpouring of our lives. This sacred work begins before they are out of the womb, praying scripture over them, praying for their futures, their walk with the Lord and continues on from infancy into adulthood.

We are to begin teaching them about the Lord when they are very young. Reading Bible stories to them, playing Christian music in the home, taking them to church, teaching their small hands how to pray. We must do this with fervor and zeal and with a spirit that will not grow weary. Teaching them to be Little Disciples.

Speaking of Little Disciples, I was blessed to come in contact with a Christian company called Little Disciples. They sell unique onesies with the cutest sayings on them:

I have this one that is pictured above, don't you love the saying? 

These sweet onesies are soft, comfortable and tagless so they don't irritate little ones skin and they have a "Little Disciple" logo on the back side.

It is so hard to find great Christian products, especially ones that can be a witness, spark conversation to share about our great Savior and comfort and cloth your sweet little blessing all at the same time!

I also love, love, love their blanket quilts! My twin son, Christian loves his little blanket quilt that he received from them and walks around everywhere carrying it! Here's what it looks like:

(Click above picture to enlarge)

Why are they so special? Because this quality quilt has not just ONE Bible verse embroidered on it but SIX different verses!!!! What a treasure to find a quilt like this---it is definitely a must have blanket that can be passed down from one generation to the next as an heirloom. The back side of the quilt is also embroidered with "Jesus Loves Me'.  All I could think of was how beautiful it was and how I could preserve it for my grandchildren. Grandparents and parents, this makes an excellent gift! They have this in pink too for girls--girls get a dove in the center and boys get a cross.

Little Disciples also carries bibs and infant hats with the same cute little sayings on them too. Be sure to visit their website and pick out something cute for your baby today!

Here is a special sneak peek of my daughter, Janai, sharing our blanket and onesie with you:

 

(Be sure to turn off the music in the sidebar before viewing!)

The Successful Woman

Culture paints the successful woman with a briefcase in her hand, a smart suit, with an admirable six figure income stepping on anyone who gets in her way.

But the truly successful woman has a deeper understanding of her calling for wisdom is her guide, the fruits of the spirit is her instructor and her rewards are of eternal significance, not just temporal. She knows that:

1. A woman’s foremost responsibility is in the home, making a success of marriage and family and therefore give her best to those she loves--by doing this she brings glory to God.

2. A woman can best serve her Lord and her country by rearing a successful family--but notice that I did not say a perfect family. Success translates into serving and respecting her husband the best that she can and nurturing disciples that will share God's word with the world.

3. The best workshop for training children in moral and spiritual values is in the home. The mother is the master teacher and she must  work diligently to train them. While this looks different in every home, every master teacher understands that her home is the nursery of civilization--what is taught here is forever imprinted upon the soul to affect thousands, if not millions, with either good or evil.

4. It requires the very best of a woman’s mental capacity to be an ideal wife and raise a successful family so she gives her all to the sacred work that lies in front of her. It is indeed her life's work. She pours into everyone all that she has, she is strategic, she makes the most of every opportunity and she works late into the night and rising early to meet the new day.

5.. A woman’s glory is the esteem of her husband, the training of her children, and the overall success in the ordering and managing of her home and in that she fulfills her duties to the Lord. While she will never have perfected these things she is always working on improving them--she knows her work is a process.

As you begin your week, align your priorities with God. Start on your knees as you ask Him for wisdom and strength and blessings on the fruit of your hands.

And as you pour your all in every aspect of your home from helping your husband to educating your children do not grow weary but know that this is God's good and perfect will for you and He will strengthen and lead you through the sacredness and beauty of it all.

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The Winner of the Lilla Rose Giveaway is...

Heather at Traveling Down the Tracks of Life with D and H!

Congratulations! I will personally contact you with more details.

Don't forget that if you buy anything from Lilla Rose this month,
the proceeds will go to two families that are trying to adopt!

And thanks for all of you who entered,
I have many more great giveaways coming up so stay tuned!

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The Battleground

I love having talks with my children around the meal table. They are the next generation for the Lord so I want to pour all I can into them. Having these special talks at breakfast, lunch  and dinner important to me because this is where I teach so much on worldview and fighting the cultural battles their generation faces.

Today I threw out the question of reformers. Who were the reformers of the past and who would be considered reformers today? My children were quick to name many including present reformers who are on the battlefield of reforming the church, culture, family, media and education. I then asked them if someone wrote a book about modern day reformers who would be put in it and would their names be included? This set off a spark. My children were totally engaged.

They began to formulate ideas of how they could reach this generation. A few children instantly came up with their own ideas of what they could put into action immediately. I called them to the battle, to fight on the front-lines, to give their lives. I reminded them that in heaven, the people who have celebrity here on earth will probably be last in heaven and the ones that are lowly, meek and humble, the ones that are poor but gave their all to share Christ, to care for widows and orphans ---that they will be first. I know that those are the people that will be richly rewarded in heaven.

We have to teach our children to be soldiers. To have courage to speak to godless nations. To have loyalty to the God that they serve. To be one minded and not double minded.  To serve God and not any other masters. Can our sons fight and lead armies for our King? Can our daughters raise generations that will love and serve Him that will teach generations to come?

The battle ground is wide and vast. There is much to destroy---- and much to reform and rebuild. We cannot do it without soldiers--we cannot do it without God and without teaching the next generation to lead the way with His spirit.

Parents, this is the battleground. God has called us to it. We will call our children to it and our grandchildren to it--and may we all be found courageous and nobly faithful in fighting the war passionately until our very last breath.

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Femininity Lost in America

Is femininity lost in America?

You would think so by hearing that women are wearing this.

Is this what glorious femininity has been reduced to?

Is this whom the majority of American girls idolize and imitate along with their mothers?

I hope not.

Mothers and fathers allowing little daughters to learn wrong ways.

Sacrificing their daughters to the world.

But I am hopeful...

so hopeful...

because I know that many are raising up daughters as pillars in their homes.

They are teaching them to be feminine, to be noble, to love God, to be servant-hearted, to love children, to love and advance the church, to love their families and to esteem that which is good and righteous.

Really, I have met them---they DO exist!

With God's help, I am also trying to raise them....:)

But without God, I know that I would be in the same place.

With or without a meat dress, I need Jesus just as much as the next person---if not more.

Let us pray for these woman and daughters to have discernment and not to be lead astray by the worlds ways and to be pleasers of men.They have been deceived by the seduction of the entertainment industry that they have become enslaved to.

Not because we are righteous,

or any better than them.

Because we aren't.

We need Jesus as much as them.

And because we love them and want to see their souls saved from the only one who can save it.

Are you saved?

If you are not sure,

click here.

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Christian Moms Speak Out Against Twilight Saga, New Moon and Eclipse

Not too long ago I did a "review" of Twilight and wanted to share some of the excellent comments that were sent in. I think it is so important for mothers to really think through some of the issues regarding the Twilight series including New Moon and Eclipse because of the influence and teachings of these movies are more powerful than we think.

Here were some of the excellent and thoughtful comments:

"What scares me are the MOTHERS who are addicted to this series! What example are they setting to their daughters... ..the Twilight books and the like are unsuitable for we as mothers as well. So many times I have thought "oh this movie or that book is fine for me to read...I'm an adult and can control tempting thoughts, etc..." but that's just fleshly nature taking over! and I have to admit, with all the hype these books have been given, I've been tempted to read them myself. Thank you for this post today....it was a gentle reminder of what i need to be doing for my daughter, and also for myself!"

"The enemy is a liar and he is romancing our children. It is incredibly dangerous and wicked. However, the enemy is a master schemer and it his way to deceive and make us think there is nothing wrong with these types of films."

"Finally a Christian woman with some sense in regards the whole vampire culture. I have seen ADULT Christian women and mothers blogging about this series. They are reading it, enjoying and reviewing for the public. Their children are reading it. Their teenagers are watching the movies. I don't understand how can Christians be so deceived."

"I am blown away by what Christian parents allow their kids to watch. We not only guide our children's choices carefully, but we teach them that everything is seed, and has to be evaluated accordingly as to whether is it negative (weed), neutral (clutter although not damaging), or beneficial. Also, we teach them that as adults, they will not be immune from seed that is planted in their hearts. Our hearts are soil that produces a crop. We have to watch over our hearts our whole life."

"A little seed will affect you, and a lot of seed will direct you!I have had many moms, 'Christian' women, not only defend their viewpoint about these books, but encourage other Christian moms and daughters to read them. It's the inroad that many occult-leaning writers have been looking for. It's the way to infiltrate Christian groups, the arena they've never been able to get into with any great success... until now. My husband says using a book like one of these to teach whatever good might be in it is like fishing through a dumpster to find dinner. It might be there, but how good can it actually be, and at what cost?"

"It certainly is sad that so many are deceived and allow their little ones into the world of deception as well.Letting daughters read these books (much less see the movies) is just inviting them to rebel, lie, defy their parents' and community's values, and succumb to lust."

"I have been really concerned at the number of Christian women I have seen reading these books and watching these movies. They promote so much evil it's hard to know where to start. This series basically encourages girls to fall in love with evil men and thereby put themselves in danger. We need to wisely avoid this kind of literature!"

And to top it all of---I could not believe my eyes when I saw this:

"My husband recently entered into a kind of debate with a youth pastor who took his youth group to see the New Moon film recently. We could not believe that a church would condone its youth being led to view this. The youth pastor told my husband that the children were mature enough to discern for themselves and that it was harmless fun. We, of course, disagree. As a child, I was allowed to read and view things similar to this movie and it influenced my perspectives as an adult that I later had to repent of. It simply did not help me have a Biblical foundation and caused me to falter later in life. It is sad to me that adults view children as "little adults" when they are actually in desperate need of training on matters such as this. It really breaks my heart."

Thanks to all the mom's who shared, to read plenty more of the comments click here. If you have any thoughts on this topic, please share them. I would love to hear them!

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--Thanks for visiting A Wise Woman Builds Her Home! If you like what you read here you can get free updates sent to your email by subscribing and never miss a post.

Charming and Elegant Lilla Rose Flexi Clip Giveaway!

I love things that have a Victorian flair to them from art to clothing, books to blogs--the style is my favorite and anything that resembles it catches my eye! That is why I would like you to look at this:

and this:

and this:

These beautiful one-of-a-kind hairclips are from Lilla Rose. Lilla Rose is a company that carries the most gorgeous and feminine hair accessories that are unique. Let me tell you why---because they carry the FLEXI-CLIP. What is the Flexi Clip you ask? It is a hairclip that flexes around your hair with a  pin that is attached that slides through to hold your hair! Say good-by to your scrunchies, ladies! You will not want to go near them once you realize how wonderfully easy and quick the Flexi Clip holds up in your hair up in so many beautiful styles. The look is elegant and can be worn anywhere giving any woman a more classier look.

The one I have is the Princess Tiara Flexi Clip--it is so pretty and makes my hair look great throughout the course of the day! I just love the dangling beads, not only can I wear this casually throughout the course of the day and it will hold up but I am also probably going to wear it in costume to some events I will be attending in full costume as well! Now this is alot to be said for me because I have really thick hair! Often times it is hard to keep my hair up in anything because it just would not be strong enough but the Flexi Clip definitely does the job without popping out like other accessories would The Flexi Clip only takes a few seconds to put in too--no more fussing over bobby pins or barrettes. Lilla Rose also sends you directions on how to put your hair in different styles and their website has a video of how to select your perfect size. They also carry hairsticks, orings, eyeglass lanyards and badge holders, headbands and earring and necklaces to match:

Now I have a surprise for you--Lilla Rose is generously giving away to one of my readers a Flexi Clip of their choice (up to $15)! And---for the first 30 days the proceeds of any sales will go to two special families that are trying to adopt children. Isn't that wonderful? I love when Christians support the cause of orphans and widows as Christ commands. Now all you have to do to enter this giveaway is leave a comment and your email if you don't have a blog---so easy!


Now for all you type-A people who need extra entries:

Share this giveaway on Facebook, Twitter or blog about it. (2 points for each, 2 comments each)
Follow Lilla Rose on Facebook and/or Twitter. (3 points each, leave 3 comments each)
Visit their store and tell me what you like. (3 points, leave 3 comments)
Follow this blog on Facebook, Twitter or subscribe for convenient free updates sent conveniently to your email. (3 points each, leave 3 comments each)
Buy something from Lilla Rose. (10 entries, leave 10 comments)

**REMEMBER  all proceeds from sales for 30 days go to two special families trying to adopt!**

Hope you win!

Thank you Lilla Rose!

The Simple Stencil Giveaway Winner Is....

Amy of Amy's Lighthouse!

Congratulations!!! I will email you shortly with the details.

For anyone wishing to place an order with The Simple Stencil you can
 save 25% off your entire order if they order this month with coupon code SSRC4 at checkout.

 

This is a great deal just for the readers of A Wise Woman Builds Her Home!

(this means you!)

 

Be sure to order today!

And for those of you who didn't get a chance to win--I have a charming giveaway coming up at midnight so don't miss it!

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Teaching My Daughters

Today I am over at Raising Homemakers

sharing my experiences of teaching my daughters how to sew. 

It is such an honor to train our daughters to learn to become better homemakers

and our blessed responsibility to as well.

Train them while they are young

and cultivate the their natural tendencies

to want to learn to do these things.

See you over there:

Simple Sewing Projects for Daughters

Have a blessed day!



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Unbelievable

This is an outrage.






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The Appearance of Godliness

God has been pressing this verse upon my heart lately...
the verse that talk about the last days and how men will be lovers of themselves, , lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form (appearance) of godliness but denying its power. The warning from this verse in Titus 3 declares--from such people turn away!

The verse I emboldened keeps coming back to me.

Are we a people who have an appearance of godliness?

Do we try to dress the part (modest clothing, dresses) but inwardly we are dirty cups?

Do we try to put on our best for those at church, but let our 'real selves' out at home?

Do we say we believe in doing good deeds, but then when we see a need--do nothing?

We should not put on a show.

The Christian walk is not about who is the most perfect, sinless person with the most perfect family at church. People need to see the 'true' us, the one who is fallen and in need of a Savior. The one they can relate to, because they are a sinner too. It is hard to relate to a perfect person.

What if you had to wear a sign of all your sins you commited that day such as the list above including anger, impatience, malice, hatred, unforgiveness, covetousness, laziness, jealousy, and everyone could see them. How then would we act?

God knows and tests our hearts. I fear Him knowing that He knows the true state of our hearts. I fear Him because I know one day we will all be accountable for every word, deed and thought. Praise God for the sacrifice of His Son, that died for my sins that I could receive forgiveness.

We need to make time in our days to examine ourselves (2 Cor 13:5). We cannot be too busy that we do not check ourselves. The scriptures exhort us to search our hearts and be silent (Psalm 4:4)

When is the last time you were silent?

Make sure you examine your heart today.



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Her Creation is Her Home

The ideal domestic worker is an artist
and her creation is her home.

The artist takes what materials he has and manipulates them, 

but the goal is not just to create something interesting,

but to express a vision of love and beauty.

Even Michelangelo worked with the most banal of materials and ordinary techniques. 

All was imbued with imagination and vision.

It may seem ridiculous to compare a humble home
filled with love and simple beauty

to the Sistine Chapel. 

But, they are the same in that they are both works of artistry

and express first and foremost the human soul. 

- Laura Wood 

~Hat tip to Jennifer Harrel and
Antonia Cunningham~




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Valuable Homeschool Tip

I am over at The Homeschool Corner

and I am sharing a valuable homeschool tip.

Come visit me and let me know

what you think of the new look!

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Beautiful Stencils for Your Home--The Simple Stencil Giveaway

 Since the day I was married I loved to decorate my home with beautiful things just like all of you do. I have always loved roses and art so you can find a nice variety of those things all around my home. Paintings are a weakness for me as you can tell on my blog, and if I am at a garage sale I have to do all I can to restrain myself from buying the beautiful art I might find.

I also try to fill our home with scripture or quotes that bring your thoughts home to the Lord. I know I need the constant reminder and so do my husband and children. It is like that verse:

"Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.  Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates." Deuteronomy 6:5-9

Not to mention that fact that it inspires me throughout the day, focusing me on what is right and what is good. Inspiraton is what we all need! That is what I am always looking for and I desire to to have in my home and that is why I love The Simple Stencil. The Simple Stencil has made it easy for us to make our homes look and feel beautiful all the while inspiring us all at the same time. Here is a peek at some of their beautiful stenciling:

I love this stencil because it is beautiful and is the constant reminder of powerful impact home has upon our very souls. It evokes happiness, joy and hope and I think I could find about ten different places in my home that I would just love for this stencil to be displayed at! This stencil starts at just $21! The Simple Stencil is absolutely an affordable way to adorn your home with beauty. Their  home category is simply stunning!

And the baby's nursery---you can't forget that all important room. Who wouldn't want to adorn their precious little one's abode with this heartfelt and powerful poem? This is the one room I spent hours and hours in nursing my little ones or rocking them to sleep--I had often thought of how I could maybe hand paint a verse or quote to make it look lovelier but never had the courage to do so. The Simple Stencil offers beautiful stencils for as low as $21 and with only a few simple easy steps of rubbing them onto the wall to apply them! Easy and affordable! How I wish I would've know about The Simple Stencil back I was redecorating my nursery room! Is your baby all grown up? This also would look great in an older child's room as well. You can view more stencils  for the baby's room and children's room here.

This is the one I chose for my sweet little home. It is clearly stunning and the application process takes only a few simple steps. Oh, how we ALL need to be reminded of this powerful verse over and over again through the course of our day--it is beautiful and one of the verses that I am so very passionate about growing and learning in my own life. I am looking forward to the children telling me how they were having a tough day and were reminded to respond in love buy just looking up and seeing God's Word there on the wall. It is my reminder that we are all sinners in need of Christ. I am ever so grateful to The Simple Stencil for their nice selection of bible verses to share His Word with all those in our home.

The Simple Stencil has a vastly wide variety of simple elegant and amazing eye-catching stencils for every room of your home--from kitchen to teens room to bathroom. They also have a wedding center, a baby center, custom stencils and elegant monograms (starting at 50 cents!). I'm telling you---they even have stencils for the holidays and the possibilities are absolutely endless.

They have a special fall promotion right now--you can save 20% off entire order with coupon code FALL2010 at checkout. Plus (as always) orders over $75 ship free with a free professional application tool. (US, Canada and Mexico orders only get the free shipping).

Now I have a surprise for you, The Simple Stencil has generously offered one of my readers a $50 gift certificate to their online store! Wow--that means YOU get to choose which lovely stencil you would like to have in your very own home! Now here are the rules to enter:

You must leave a comment telling me what you like from The Simple Stencil website. If you don't have a blog be sure to leave your email so I may contact you. That's all! Simple.

If you would like extra entries:

Facebook, Twitter or blog about this giveaway. (counts as 2 entries each, leave 2 comments each)
Like them on Facebook and/or follow them on Twitter. (3 entries for each, leave 3 comments for each)
Subscribe to my blog and get free email updates and/or follow me on Twitter. (3 entries for each, leave 3 comments for each)
Like this blog on Facebook. (3 entries, leave 3 comments)
Buy something from their store. (10 entries, leave 10 comments)

Giveaway closes on 9/18 at midnight.

Hope you win!

Thank you to the sweet folks at The Simple Stencil!

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-Would you like to showcase your product to our audience? Then check out our advertising options here.

For the Generations to Come...

This one will get you all fired up...

(Don't forget to turn off the music in the sidebar!)

I believe that the Word of God needs to be everywhere to help transform our minds and culture. That is why I blog and encourage others to as well. The more godly influence there is, the more influenced the world will be for Christ. I also love books of antiquity that soundly preach the gospel and sharply rebuke man's wisdom (especially from the 1800's)--those are my favorite!

Thank you to Mrs. Darcy Mazza who sent this to me!

Also, I am over at Ladies Against Feminism today exposing lies, be sure to drop by and share some lies you would like to expose...

(Be sure to load the video entirely beforehand for better viewing)

Wisdom Versus Worldly Thinking

Worldly thinking is something that we need to combat, be on guard for and reject and wisdom is something we all need to learn, cultivate and embrace.

Last week Kelly @ Generation Cedar wrote two excellent articles that provided great food for thought regarding these two vitally important topics:

The Secret to Your Child's Success

Exposing them to the "Real World" or Creating a New One?

I will also shortly be sharing some past Bible study notes of mine regarding these topics.

Enjoy!

If you are looking for excellent resources that teach about wisdom, Vision Forum is the place you are looking for, check out their new website design.

It's All About Fall

Fall is right around the corner and I know that several of you have already decorated! I enjoy the change of seasons and love the coziness that fall brings. It is fun to pull out the fall wardrobe and shop for new clothes and fall also ushers in exciting events like apple and pumpkin picking and baking, and so much more. Fall is the season before Christmas and I LOVE Christmas. One of the things that I also like to do is decorate first for the Harvest and then it evolves to a more Pilgrim/Thanksgiving theme. I love this picture above from Dining Delights, she really knows how to decorate for fall! I also like to keep decorating simple. Here are a few articles I wrote in the past about fall for you to enjoy:

Fall Into Beauty

Getting Reading for Fall

Fall Family Traditions

Delicious Pumpkin

Last year I had even stumbled upon a post where a woman had decorated a beautiful Christmas tree for fall! It was glorious! It was adorned with regal pumpkins, shimmering gold ribbon and lights, crisp autumn leaves and more. How I wish I could find that post again to show you her magnificient work! I learned last year from Warm Pie, Happy Home that you can decorate using fall leaf garland on top of Christmas garland for a fuller effect--we loved that idea and got lots of compliments from visitors in our home. Don't forget to also add a string of lights to your garland for a glowing warm and cozy feel!

We are so blessed as mothers to create such wonderful memories for our families during the change of seasons. This will become part of their childhood memories forever. The smells, the decorations, the food,  the fun and games. Let's take seriously creating wonderful memories for them that are full of love that they can look back upon with fondness and draw their hearts always be drawn closer to home...

This year, I would like to really embrace fall and enjoy and savor every moment of it. So for the first time on A Wise Woman Builds Her Home I will use a McLinky so  you can add your post about fall here. Anything about fall is good, you can show how you decorate your home, your thoughts about fall, clean your home for fall, how you do school in the fall, fall crafts, fall recipes, family trips in the fall---EVERYTHING!

(no posts on Halloween please)

So go ahead--add your post and don't forget to link back so that others can join in the fun too!

The Winner of the newCreation Apparel Skirt Giveaway

There were an amazing 716 entries for the newCreation Apparel feminine and modest skirt giveaway! I am absolutely so pleased to see a desire for woman to add these beautiful skirts to their wardrobes! So here we go, drumroll please...

(Love their Splash of Color skirt!)

The winner is--

Chocolate On My Cranium!

Congratulations! I will be notifying you personally.

Thank you to all who entered and shared the news--I have some more exciting giveaways coming up so if you didn't win this time around you will have another chance later!

Have a blessed day!

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Marie-Madeline Studio Birthday Bash Sale!

Marie-Madeline Studio is having a birthday bash sale today with 45% off select fabrics so hurry up and head on over there! Here are some of the beautiful fabrics they will have on sale:

Dolly Dresses

Pretty Bird

Nashville Cotton

You can read all about the glorious details at their blog.  But hurry, the sale ends on the 18th, and once they run out it will be GONE---so don't delay! 

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Feminine and Modest newCreation Apparel Skirt Giveaway!

A few years back when I was having babies one right after the other it was hard finding maternity clothes that I liked that were modest, feminine and pretty. I would search the mall for that perfect skirt and was barely able to find even one that I liked that fit well---and then I would quickly wear myself out looking since I was pregnant (how many of you have been there?). How I wished I would have heard about  newCreation Apparel back then! newCreation Apparel is a Christian company that carries an entire line of lovely long skirts, slips, silk comforters, luxurious nightwear, pretty jackets and beautiful maternity skirts in all the colors to mix and match with that are comfortable for mommy and baby. newCreation Apparel specializes in and are dedicated to helping women find modest and feminine clothing without the lengthy hours of shopping disappointment. They have a wide variety of colors and styles for every taste to choose from.

This cute maternity skirt is my favorite, I would have loved to have had something like this for going out:

(Maternity Black and White Floral---only $26)

This one is perfect and just in time for fall:

(Maternity Signature Dark Chocolate-$26)

They also sell  long regular skirts that are just so hard to find these days, long flowing skirts that are graceful, classic and flattering. Their elegant skirts will take you through every season, event and holiday! How practical and the price cannot be beat--they purposefully kept their prices down to keep it affordable for everyone.  How can you not love that???  I know many of you are trying to dress more feminine this year and are looking for modest clothes to add to your wardrobe--I recommend newCreation Apparel as truly a great place to shop for fine clothing. Take a peek at this lovely jacket:

(Classic Corduroy Lavender Jacket--$31.20 on clearance!)

And don't you just love the cute regular skirts:

 (Rainforest 36--$24.75)

And ladies, we all know it can be a challenge to find the perfect jean skirt but newCreation Apparel has a WIDE variety to choose from that range from simple to classy. I love this one with the ruffles:

(Double Crunch Ruffled--$33)

Now I have a surprise for you--newCreation Apparel is generously offering my special readers a chance to win one skirt of your choice from their online store!!! All you have to do is leave a comment with your email---that's all!

(Important Note: This giveaway has free shipping and handling to those living in the U.S.--if you are outside the U.S. you may still enter the giveaway but will be responsible for shipping and handling costs. This giveaway ends on 9/11 at midnight.) 
 
If you would like extra entries:

Facebook or Twitter this giveaway (counts for 1 entry for each, leave 1 comment each)
Follow me on Twitter, subscribe to this blog or blog about this giveaway ( counts as 2 entries each, leave 2 comments)
Visit newCreation Apparel's Facebook page and like them. (counts as 3 entries, leave 3 comments)
Visit their website and tell me what you like from there. (counts as 3 entries, leave 3 comments)
Buy something from their store. (counts as 10 entries, leave 10 comments)

Hope you win!

 Thank you newCreation Apparel!

***This giveaway is now closed.

Thanks to all who participated!***

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Coming Soon...

 Tea with Michelle Duggar!

Coming Soon: Tea with Michelle Duggar from Vision Forum on Vimeo.

I think I will definitely have to get this one!

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HomeBuilders and Ladies Tea

The time has come once again to host our HomeBuilders meeting and this time we will have a casual Ladies tea and study for the women with teaching from myself and my dear friend and fellow Raising Homemaker, Rhonda Devine of Walking With Sarah on 'Battling Lies and Hardship'.

My husband Steve of The Male Domain will be encouraging and teaching men on 'Characteristics of Biblical Manhood". We will also have food, fun, fellowship, football, volleyball and leisurely watch a movie or two. 

If you are interested in attending a HomeBuilders meeting please contact me in the comments section. I will need to know as soon as possible since this meeting is this Sunday we might have a large crowd and I will need a headcount. Hopefully we will be able to fit you all in! Also, if you would like to learn more about that day, what to bring or about our HomeBuilder's ministry please click here.



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The Start of a New School Year

School has started around here at the Fuentes home and last week we had a great back to school party full of treasure hunts, bowling and tennis with our family and checking out our fresh new supplies and books. Visions of science experiments, unit studies, and hands on projects are all dancing around in my head so I am trying to careful to jot everything down so I don't forget a single one!

One of the things that I know that is a challenge for homeschoolers since we have such flexibility  is overloading our schedule with things that have us frantically running here and there. Lessons, sports, clubs, activities, events and the like can keep us all living in our automobiles from one event to another without really experiencing much needed down time at home. 

We need to choose wisely what things our family participates in and not overload our schedules. All those things can look and sound good and we sign up for them with zeal but we can sacrifice what is best in its place and end up with a frazzled mother at the end of her rope, especially if she has several children she is trying to taxi around. Many mothers have trouble just concentrating on school let alone trying to fit several more things onto her plate, other mothers prioritize their outings more than schooling and then become alarmed when they begin to fall drastically behind. While I believe it is wonderful to have freedom in our homeschooling, I believe it is also the parents responsibility to make sure the job gets done.

Consider this, what if a family chose NOT break up their family, especially when Dad was home and  instead chose to do things together? Instead of Billy running out to chess club to play against a few strangers why not have him play against Dad or Grandpa? What if instead of choir, you sang Christian songs/hymns as a family as a ministry to a nursing home? I actually know families that do this. They value their time together and do not feel pressure to conform to what everyone else is doing. Take sports for instance. If they have a couple of sons they don't drag them all to different practice locations and games all through the week. Instead they will opt to choose a sport as a family like tennis, volleyball, swimming or rollerskating that they can do together. When they want to play competitively as teams they invite other families over to play against their family. The Duggar family, who have 19 children, is a wonderful example of this. I believe we need to try to think more outside 'the box' and know that doing more is not always best. Don't get me wrong now, I am not saying to not join anything, but what we do choose we need to choose wisely.

 Of course there will be things you participate in, just like my family does, but use discernment and choose sparingly because it can all add up too quickly. I have a friend who guards her family time fiercely and there is wonderful fruit from it. Are they confined to the home? Hardly! They are always busy, interacting with many people--Christians and non-Christians--but actively doing things together as  a family. Think of all the glorious memories they are making! Think of all the wonderful training and shepherding time that will take place! What I often think is most needed is time to cultivate and nurture family time and relationships without the emphasis of always 'being out and going somewhere', which can sometimes breed discontentment. We think that those things are so fulfilling but can really often lead us to feeling exhausted and empty in the end.

Families today hardly have time to eat together let alone hold a conversation of depth, and when Dad comes home from work they barely have time to welcome him as they rush past him out the door. Because we see this as a trend in families today we should not feel pressured to emulate it. Instead we should do what we can to guard it against it and preserve the best for our families. The state of families today are desperate for change and strengthening and we would be good to use our time together wisely.

May the Lord give us all wisdom as we fill our schedules with good things and embark upon a blessed new school year!

The Winner of the Marie Madeline Giveaway...

Wow! There was a whopping 504 entries for the Marie-Madeline Studio custom made apron! You ladies really know how to get into a giveaway! Their aprons are so cute I couldn't resist posting another favorite picture of one of their aprons that I would love to order, I especially love that one on the left:

Okay, now for the winner----it is:

Kelli at Homeschool Ramblings!

Congratulations! Please follow the directions I left at your blog.

As I promised there will be more giveaways and more winners, so stay tuned and keep your eyes fixed on Jesus in the meantime.

Have a blessed day!


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The State of the Home

"The state of a nation

is always determined

by the state of the home."



-Anna Sofia and Elizabeth Botkin, Biblical Femininity



If Christ is not the center of our homes, we will have a godless nation and we are seeing the result of that fruit right now.

How is your home looking?

Did you know it affects...

the nation

generations

your neighborhood

the church

the eternal?


Let us not look past the vision of building strong Christian homes for our King, but instead grasp it and run forward in excellency for Him!


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Protecting Our Children

My sweet friend Jaime of Like a Bubbling Brook, recently wrote an excellent article that I would like you to read entitled Protecting Our Children By Staying On Our Knees. Here is an excerpt:

"This is a time for training our children, discipling them, preparing them. They are not ready to face such extreme tactics of Satan at such a young age.... boot camp is not over, yet we send them out to battle, and they are being massacred right in front of our eyes. Don't believe me? Research finds that 88% of children raised in evangelical homes now leave the church by the age of 18." 

Hop over to her blog to read the rest...

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The Charlie and Trike Giveaway Winners Are..

The four winners of The Charlie and Trike in the Grand Canyon Adventure by Ken Ham of Answers in Genesis  are...

Tasha, Laura, Karen and Jolene!

Congratulations! I have already emailed you to notify you.

Thank you so much for all those who entered, there will be plenty more giveaways to participate in that are coming up and they are absolutely LOVELY! I can't wait to share---but patience is a virtue so I will  have to wait! ;)

 Have a blessed day!


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So Beautiful! Marie-Madeline Studio Giveaway

Modest.

Feminine.

Charming.

Beautiful.

Have you heard about Marie-Madeline Studio yet? If not, I am here to tell you what you are missing!

Marie-Madeline Studio is a wonderful mother-daughter team (four daughters to be exact)  that sews the most delightful one-of-a-kind aprons, skirts, bags, patterns with the most simply gorgeous fabrics. When I first laid eyes on their products I was immediately smitten! You will be too...just take a peek:

This is their Gracie Ruffle skirt. Isn't that just beautiful?! Look at all the sweet layers and adorable fabric, what mom wouldn't want their little darling sporting one of these?

Moms, are you having a hard time finding cute, yet modest skirts when you go shopping for your older girls? I know I have, and I feel your pain! But look no further, Marie-Madeline Studio also offers the cutest custom made skirts for your older daughters and even for you!

Now for the fun--Marie-Madeline Studio is giving away to one lucky winner one of their beautiful custom--yes, I said custom, aprons of your choice as pictured at the top of this post---with your choice of fabric!

They sent me one that looks like this! Isn't it lovely? {sigh} I have always wanted a ruffled apron skirt and I can't begin to tell you just how gorgeous the fabric is in real life and the high quality it is made from! I am so happy that you get a chance to win one! Now to enter this giveaway all you need to do is enter a comment with your email address so that we can contact you when if you should win. It's so easy!

For Extra Entries:

1. Share this post on Facebook and/or Twitter. (2 entries, leave 2 comments)

2. Blog about this giveaway (3 entries, leave 3 comments)

3. Visit Marie-Madeline Studio and tell me what you like from there. (5 entries, 5 comments)

4. Visit the Marie-Madeline Studio blog and leave a comment or like them on their Facebook page. (2 entries, leave 2 comments)

5. Buy something from Marie-Madeline Studio. (10 entries, leave 10 comments)

Just be sure to leave a comment here (a separate one for each) telling me what you have done and don't disqualify yourself by forgetting  to add your email!



Hope you win!

Thank you Marie-Madeline Studio.

(I heart you!)




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